Colm McKinstrie

In this interview Jimmy Smyth and Colm McKinstrie discuss Colm’s time with Clan na Gael and playing for Armagh. Colm starts by talking about playing in school and the teachers who helped organise things. He goes on to talk about being chosen to play for Clan na Gael. He speaks about the way the team grew together as they knew each other so well. He then talks about the type of game favoured by Clan na Gael. He speaks of training and playing in Armagh during the Troubles. He next talks of the transition to the Armagh team under new management and speaks of several games they played. He goes on to tell of the team placing a bet on themselves and winning. He then talks of this being the taking off point for Armagh despite several defeats over the next few years. He speaks of many of the Armagh team at the time going on to manage the Armagh Senior team as well as many club teams. There follows a discussion about the 1980 win and Colm’s All Star and his Achilles problems. He then speaks of the Armagh Ulster final win in 1982 and goes on to recall the good times over the year. He next discusses moving from playing into management and the various clubs he managed. He then discusses what the GAA has meant to him over the years and the friends he has made. Finally, he tells why his daughters are not playing football in the GAA.